The Middle East

The UN Security Council to Act if Syria Fails in Compliance

By Darrin Simmons
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

 DAMASCUS, Syria-Following a breakthrough agreement between the U.S. and Russia to ultimately strip Syria of its chemical weapons, an enforceable resolution has been put to the United Nations Security Council.

Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Serge Lavrov hold a joint press conference discussing agreement to eliminate Syria’s chemical weapons (photo courtesy of NBC News)

Under the agreement, Syria must provide a “full catalog of its chemical arsenal within a week and allow United Nations inspectors to start working no later than November.”  If Syria fails in complying, the UN Security Council will take affirmative action.

While it is unclear what steps the UN Security Council will take, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said that it was agreed that there will be no “use-of-force trigger” in the resolution.  However, Kerry further went on to say, “The President of the United States always retains the right to defend the United States of America and our interests.”

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated, “There is nothing said about the use of force and not about any automatic sanctions.”

A UN spokesperson said there are ways to establish the “Chapter 7” resolution with a compromise on the use of force.  “Some use the explicit language that allows for the use of military force…others refer to the possibility that the use of force may be invoked if there is non-compliance within the text of the resolution.”

The deal was welcomed and supported by Ban Ki-moon, the UN Secretary General.  He stated that he “hoped that would not just prevent further chemical use in Syria but help pave the path for a political solution to stop the appalling suffering inflicted on the Syrian people.”

On Saturday, the UN said that all necessary documents for Syria to join the chemical weapons convention had been received and that Syria will become part of the treaty on October 14th.

“The Convention will enter into force for the Syrian Arab Republic on the 30th day following the date of deposit of this instrument of accession, namely on 14 October 2013,” stated the U.N press office.

Monday will see the revealing of the UN report on the deadly chemical-weapons attack that occurred last month in Syria.  The report will be presented to Ban Ki-moon by chief inspector Ake Sellstrom, and it has been quoted to be “overwhelming in showing that chemical weapons were used.

A Security Council permanent-member diplomat said, “If the report points to accountability by the Assad government, there may be more discussion of a referral to the International Criminal Court.”

As plans regarding action to be taken in Syria continue to unfold, Kerry and Lavrov will again meet at the UN General Assembly later this month while President Obama is set to address the assembly on September 24.

Despite the cooperation and progress that has been made, international responses have still been guarded.  Many Western nations are wary of Assad and are all too familiar with the frustrated attempt of UN weapons inspectors dealing with Saddam Hussein in Iraq, along with the difficulties of disassembling Syria’s chemical weapons during a civil war.

For more information, please see the following:

Reuters-Assad’s forces on attack after U.S.-Russia arms deal-September 15, 2013

Aljazeera-US and Russia agree on ‘framework’ to remove Syrian chemical weapons-September 14, 2013

CBS News-Syrian chemical weapons agreement bound for United Nations Security Council-September 14, 2013

NBC News-US, Russia reach deal on Syria’s chemical weapons-September 14, 2013

United States and Russia Reach Syria Chemical Weapons Agreement

By Thomas Murphy
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

DAMASCUS, Syria – The United States and Russia have announced an agreement designed to eliminate Syria’s chemical weapons supplies by mid-2014. Syria has been given one week to provide a list of its full chemical weapons stockpiles and must allow for United Nations chemical weapons inspections immediately.

John Kerry, United States Secretary of State, and Sergey Lavrov, Foreign Minister of Russia, shook hands and addressed the media after reaching an agreement on Syria’s chemical weapons. (Photo Courtesy of Reuters)

If Syria fails to uphold the agreement, it may be enforced by a UN resolution under Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter which allows for sanctions and military intervention. There is currently no such resolution in place, but President Obama reiterated his position that “if diplomacy fails, the United States remains prepared to act.”

US Secretary of State John Kerry provided a six point outline of the plan:

  1. The amount and type of chemical weapons must be agreed upon and “rapidly” placed under international control
  2. Syria must submit within one week a comprehensive listing of its stockpiles
  3. Extraordinary procedures under the Chemical Weapons Convention will allow “expeditious destruction”
  4. Syria must give inspectors “immediate, unfettered access” to all sites
  5. All chemical weapons must be destroyed, including the possibility of removing weapons from Syrian territory
  6. The U.N. will provide logistical support, and compliance may be enforced under Chapter VII

“Providing this framework is fully implemented it can end the threat these weapons pose not only to the Syrian people but also to their neighbours,” Kerry said. “Because of the threat of proliferation this framework can provide greater protection and security to the world.

“The world will now expect Assad’s regime to live up to its commitments… There can be no room for games. Or anything less than full compliance.”

Not unexpectedly, General Salim Idris of the Free Syrian Army heavily criticized the agreement.

“We cannot accept any part of this initiative,” he said. “The FSA will work towards toppling Assad and does not care about US-Russia deals. I and my brothers in arms will continue to fight until the regime falls.”

He added that the FSA was “frustrated, and feels betrayed by the international community. It has no faith the UN will ever support it”.

For further information, please see:

Al Jazeera – Syria given week to declare chemical weapons  – 14 September 2013

BBC – US and Russia agree Syria chemical weapons deal – 14 September 2013

Reuters – U.S., Russia agree on Syria weapons, Obama says force still option – 14 September 2013

Washington Post – U.S., Russia reach agreement on seizure of Syrian chemical weapons arsenal –  14 September 2013

A Bipartisan Group of Congressmen Has Introduced a Resolution Calling for the Immediate Establishment of a Syrian War Crimes Tribunal

By Kathryn Maureen Ryan
Impunity Watch, Middle East

WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America — A resolution has been introduced to the United States House of Representatives calling for the immediate establishment of a Syrian War Crimes Tribunal. The resolution was introduced on 9 September 2013 and referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, where it will be considered before moving to the House or Senate for a vote. The resolution has bipartisan support and has been cosponsored by eight Republican and two Democratic members of Congress.

New Jersey Republican Chris Smith has introduced a resolution to Congress calling for the establishment of an ad hoc tribunal to prosecute the perpetrators of war crimes in Syria (Photo courtesy of NJ.com)

The Resolution, H.CON.RES.51, calls upon President Barack Obama to use the “voice and vote of the United States” at the United Nations to promote the immediate establishment of an ad hoc court to prosecute the perpetrators of serious crime committed during the civil war in Syria, including Bashar Al-Assad’s use of chemical weapons against his own people. The chemical attack killed more than 1,000 people in Ghouta on 21 August 2013, including more than 400 children.

The Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s human rights panel introduced the resolution on Monday. Smith wrote in an editorial for the Washington Post that “there is a non-lethal way to help ensure that Bashar al-Assad and other perpetrators of atrocities in Syria are held to account—not someday far in the future—but beginning now.” Smith believes a war crimes tribunal can be an effective alternative to the use of force and can offer justice to the Syrian people without putting the lives of innocent Syrian civilians at risk.

Congressman Smith argued that country-specific ad hoc courts may offer a more effective means of holding those responsible for atrocities accountable; especially in a case like Syria because Syria is not a party to the Rome Statute or a member of the International Criminal Court—which has jurisdiction over genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes—which presents a challenge for prosecuted the perpetrators of atrocities during ongoing civil war in Syria. The resolution acknowledges that ad hoc tribunals established by the international community in the past, including the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, and the Special Court for Sierra Leone, “have successfully investigated and prosecuted war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.”

Congressman Jared Huffman of California, a Democrat, is cosponsoring the resolution. Huffman said, “I don’t think anyone should get away with killing children with chemical weapons.” He believes the establishment of an ad hoc tribunal can offer the possibility of justice to the Syrian people without the use of military force.

Virginia Republican Congressman Scott Rigell, who led the calls for President Obama to seek congressional authorization before using force in Syria to punish Syrian Bashar al-Assad for the using chemical weapons against innocent civilians, voiced his support for the resolution. “Assad should spend every day for the rest of his life paying for the crimes he has committed against humanity,” Rigell said.

For more information please see:

The Washington Post – Establish a Syrian War Crimes Tribunal – 9 August 2013

The Press Democrat – North Coast Congressmen Pleased Vote Delayed On Syria Strike – 10 September 2013

NJ.com – N.J. Congressman’s Bill Creating Syrian War Crimes Tribunals Gains Bipartisan Support – 11 September 2013

Richmond Times-Dispatch – Rigell Backs War Crimes Tribunal For Syria – 11 September 2013

 

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Jordanian Parliament Member Opens Fire During Parliamentary Session

Darrin Simmons
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

 AMMAN, Jordan-During a heated parliamentary session, one member of Jordan’s parliament, Talal al-Sharif, pulled out an AK-47 rifle and opened fire.  Aiming at a fellow member Qusay Dmisa, intervention from other parliament members prevented any wounds from occurring.

Jordanian Parliament discussing budget issues the moment before the shooting (photo courtesy of Sky News)

The dispute between al-Sharif and Dmisa arose during a closed parliament session involving budget matters.  Eye witnesses confirmed that al-Sharif left parliament to go to his car to get the gun and upon return was stopped by fellow member, Mariam Al Lozi, causing the three fired bullets to hit the ceiling and wall.

After the shooting, al-Sharif was arrested and is to be detained for the next fifteen days while King Abdullah II decides how to further proceed.  Many members of parliament have called for al-Sharif’s expulsion, but since parliament is sitting in an extraordinary session, the issue cannot be decided without special decree from the king.

Local websites showing video footage of the shooting as caused uproar from citizens and political activists that have spread through Jordan.   Many are expressing their displeasure and calling for “stern measures to be taken against the attacker.”  Others have said that the incident “damages the country’s reputation.”

Al-Sharif is facing charges of attempted murderer, possession of a firearm without a license, and resisting police arrest.  If convicted of the related charges, al-Sharif could be facing up to 15 years in jail.

This is not the first violent altercation that has occurred amongst parliament members while in session.  The 180-member parliament is prominently members of the traditional Bedoin tribes with no particular ideological agenda causing sessions to become disorderly and unruly.

During the summer, one member was overpowered by a fellow colleague when he attempted to pull a gun on another.  In other debates, members have been known to throw shoes or bottles of water during heated debates.

This was the first time that an actual firearm has been fired by a member of parliament.  However, given the members’ track record for outbursts, and their increasing intensity, it is only a matter of time before someone actual does get hurt.

For more information, please see the following: 

Aljazeera-Jordanian MP opens fire in parliament-September 10, 2013

Al Arabiya-Jordanian MP shoots rifle during parliament session-September 10, 2013

Euro News-Mayhem as MP fires AK-47 at colleague in Jordan’s parliament-September 10, 2013

Independent-Jordanian MP opens fire on tribal rival in parliament-September 10, 2013

Sky News-Jordan MP ‘Opens Fire’ On Fellow Politician-September 10, 2013

Russia Proposes Plan to Destroy Syrian Chemical Weapons; U.N. Chief Warns of Action

By Thomas Murphy
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

DAMASCUS, Syria – Russia has proposed that Syria turn over all of its chemical weapons to the United Nations for destruction. The plan involves the creation of safe zones within Syria where U.N. chemical weapons experts can gather and destroy Syria’s chemical weapons supply. U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon addressed the media regarding the plan.

United Nations chemical weapons experts take samples of sand near a part of a suspected chemical missile. (Photo Courtesy of AP/United Media Office of Arbeen)

“I am considering urging the Security Council to demand the immediate transfer of Syria’s chemical weapons and chemical precursor stocks to places inside Syria where they can be safely stored and destroyed,” Ban said.

Ban was optimistic at the suggestion of the plan, but took issue with the lack of action from a Security Council that has been suffering from “embarrassing paralysis”. He added that if Syria is found to have used chemical weapons that it would be an “abominable crime” that demands an international response, but did not elaborate on what exactly that response would entail.

U.N. chemical weapons experts are expected to present their report about an alleged August 21 chemical weapons attack by the Syrian government to the U.N. Chief later this week or next. The attack, reportedly carried out by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad forces, killed one thousand four hundred people, many of whom were children.

The sudden twist in the chemical weapons saga was prompted by a comment by United States Secretary of State John Kerry when he responded to a reporter’s question asking how Syria could avoid U.S. military intervention. Kerry responded by suggesting that a potential strike could be avoided if Syria was to surrender all of its chemical weapons within a week.

Shortly thereafter, Russia Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that he advised Syria that it should place its chemical weapons under international control if it would avert military intervention. Lavrov said that he expected “a quick and, I hope, a positive answer” from Syria.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem issued a statement responding warmly to Russia’s proposal, but refused questions and did not address any specifics of the proposal.

“Syria welcomes the Russian proposal out of concern for the lives of the Syrian people, the security of our country and because it believes in the wisdom of the Russian leadership that seeks to avert American aggression against our people,” said al-Muallem.

Meanwhile, President Obama expressed caution at the plan’s potential, stating that the plan could avert U.S. action “if it’s real”.

“It’s going to have to be followed up on,” he said. “And we don’t want just a stalling or delaying tactic to put off the pressure that we have on there right now.”

For further information, please see:

ABC – Russia, Syria Push for UN Chemical Experts Return –  9 September 2013

Al Jazeera – Syria welcomes proposal on chemical weapons  – 9 September 2013

CNN – Syria chemical arms plan promising ‘if it’s real,’ Obama says – 9 September 2013

Reuters – U.N. floats plan to destroy Syrian chemical weapons stock – 9 September 2013